Sheikh Imran Calls for Referendum on Settling People of Other Religions, Urges Public to Join Friday Night Gathering

Former Home Minister and National Movement leader Sheikh Imran Abdulla has called for as many people as possible to come out for Friday night's gathering, saying that if President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu holds any intention of settling people of other religions in the Maldives, that matter must be decided through a visible or secret vote of the people. Speaking on Friday's "Fashaa Iru" programme, Sheikh Imran said that everyone who believes in maintaining the Maldives as a hundred percent Islamic nation and in preserving the country's freedom and independence must raise their voice on this matter. "Our very foremost demand is this. The foremost demand is that if President Muizzu holds any idea or thought of settling people of other religions in this hundred percent Islamic country, that matter must be done by taking a visible or secret vote of the Maldivian people, in the manner the Maldivian people say," Sheikh Imran said. Noting that the government knows the people will not accept the settling of people of other religions in the Maldives, Sheikh Imran said that if it goes to a visible or secret vote of the people and 80 percent of the people support that matter, then, respecting the people's decision, the efforts being made against it will be stopped. In addition, Sheikh Imran called for as many citizens as possible to participate in the gathering held by the movement. He also said that those unable to attend the gathering can express their feelings by commenting during the live broadcast of the session, and also by coming out onto the balconies of their homes holding the national flag and using lights of the national colours. Sheikh Imran said that efforts must be made to maintain the country's independence and Islamic unity, and that if one does not participate and lets go at such an important juncture, one will have to regret it later.